The master's introduction is direct recognition of one's own nature. Meditation is maintaining the continuity of this recognition.

Zen is a way of life, not a theory or a piece of knowledge to be stored away in our minds.

The path of awakening is not about becoming who we think we should be, but about unbecoming who we are not.

Nothing we see or hear is perfect. But right there in the imperfection is perfect reality.

When you run after your thoughts, you are like a dog chasing a stick. Every time a stick is thrown, you run after it. Instead, be like a lion who, rather than chasing after the stick, turns to face the thrower.

True freedom is not the absence of commitment but the presence of choice.

Love is not about possession. Love is about appreciation.

The purpose of studying Buddhism is not to study Buddhism, but to study ourselves.

The best way to solve a problem is to help someone else solve their problem.

The nature of mind is the unity of awareness and emptiness.

Meditation is not an escape from reality but a way to understand reality as it truly is.

When you do something, you should burn yourself completely, like a good bonfire, leaving no trace of yourself.

Try to be mindful and let things take their natural course. Then your mind will become still in any surroundings, like a clear forest pool.

The only way to experience truth is to look within, to observe oneself.

This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.

Feelings like disappointment, embarrassment, irritation, resentment, anger, jealousy, and fear, instead of being bad news, are actually very clear moments that teach us where it is that we're holding back.

Just observe whatever arises. Don't try to create anything, and don't reject anything.

The path is not about perfecting ourselves, but about perfecting our love.

There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth; not going all the way, and not starting.

The practice of mindfulness is simple: whatever you experience, you observe and note it.

The purpose of meditation is to gain right understanding of the true nature of mental and physical phenomena.

In Zen there must be satori; there must be a general mental upheaval which destroys the old accumulations of intellection and lays down the foundation for a new life.

Equanimity is not indifference. It is the balanced mind that sees things clearly without reaction.

When we know the truth, we become people who don't have to think much, we become people with wisdom.

If it isn't good, let it die. If it doesn't die, make it good.

Instead of having a deep understanding of the teaching, we need a strong confidence in our teaching, which says that originally we have Buddha nature.

The more clearly you see the arising and passing of phenomena, the less you will be attached to them.

The mind itself is the maker of all happiness and misery; yet beings do not understand this and blame external conditions.

Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.

Peace and negativity cannot coexist just as light and darkness cannot coexist.

When the iron bird flies and horses run on wheels, the Tibetan people will be scattered like ants across the face of the earth.

To see the truth, do not be for or against. The struggle between for and against is the mind's worst disease.

Anger or hatred is like a fisherman's hook. It is very important for us to ensure that we are not caught by it.